Aanchal Nigam

Aanchal Nigam

Strategic Communicator. Writer. Editor. Human-first Storyteller.

From simplifying international news to communicating civic narratives, I write to inform, connect, and move people.

 I’m Aanchal – a journalist-turned-communications advisor with a foundation in digital newsrooms and a flair for audience-first messaging. 

Over the past six years, I’ve written thousands of articles, led editorial desks, helped with public narratives for a city councillor, and brought clarity to complex issues in politics, transit, and public policy.

What ties it all together? Writing that’s rooted in purpose, and shaped by empathy, curiosity, and strategy.

I work across sectors, tones, and platforms, whether that means amplifying a Councillor’s voice, giving a brand its personality, or translating global news into something real for everyday readers.

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What I Bring to the Table?

I’m a writer by choice, a communicator by practice, and a strategist by instinct.

Over the years, I’ve worked across newsrooms, advocacy spaces, political offices, and brand teams, always using the same tool: clear, honest, impactful communication.

I specialize in communications that bridge strategy and storytelling.

Core Areas of Expertise:

  • Strategic Communications & Public Affairs
    Developing and executing integrated communication plans for political leaders, brands, and public sector organizations.
  • Corporate & Editorial Content Strategy
    Planning, producing, and managing high-impact written content across digital, corporate, and editorial platforms.
  • Media Relations & Crisis Communications
    Crafting press materials, leading rapid-response strategies, and managing media narratives in high-pressure environments.
  • Brand Messaging & Voice Development
    Building consistent, authentic brand identities — from tone guidelines to full-scale communication frameworks.
  • Executive Speechwriting & Thought Leadership
    Writing speeches, op-eds, and public-facing materials that amplify leadership and align with organizational goals.
  • Multichannel & Audience-Centric Storytelling
    Creating human-first content across web, social, print, and email that drives engagement and builds trust.
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My Journey So Far

How I went from medicine to media and why I still write like it matters.

It started with science.

In high school, I was preparing to become a doctor — a path I followed with the same seriousness most Indian kids are raised with. But between biology textbooks, I kept returning to something else: poems, essays, stories. Words gave me something science didn’t, a sense of voice.

So I changed course.

I chose to study Journalism and Mass Communication, and from my very first newsroom internship, I knew I was in the right place. I began writing professionally at the age of 19 and never looked back.

Then came the headlines.

For over five years, I worked inside two of India’s most-watched digital newsrooms — Republic TV (600M+ monthly impressions) and The Economic Times (45M+ monthly readers). I wrote and edited over 9,000 stories, led international newsrooms, and covered some of the most defining global events of our time – from the US-China trade war to Brexit, Myanmar, North Korea, Trump, Netanyahu, Epstein, and more.

During COVID-19, while the world slowed down, we didn’t. We worked full remote shifts, reporting, editing, and publishing around the clock — in real time, with zero room for error.

I tracked global news wires, broke stories across time zones, covered major geopolitical timelines for years, and got hands-on with video scripting, editing, and digital packaging. I didn’t just witness the 24/7 news cycle – I lived in it.

That newsroom shaped how I work today: fast, focused, and always ready to turn chaos into clarity.

But I wanted to do more than observe the world.

I loved journalism, but I didn’t want to just report on what powerful people were doing.
I wanted to be part of the work that shaped those decisions.

So I moved to Canada, studied journalism with a focus on community and policy, and worked with local newsrooms and policymakers to understand how information can serve the public, not just inform them.

Because I’ve always believed this:

Storytelling can drive change.

And that’s the work I choose to do now.

Now, I write for change.

I serve as the Communications Advisor to a Toronto City Councillor and Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) Chair, where I lead the strategy, writing, and messaging that connect City Hall to the people it serves.

My work sits at the intersection of policy, politics, and public trust — especially in areas like transit, housing, climate, and safety. 

What That Looks Like in Practice

I wear many hats — strategist, writer, translator, advocate — all in service of helping a City Councillor lead with clarity, impact, and connection. Every message that leaves our office is intentional, community-informed, and deeply aligned with public need.

Here’s how I put that into action:

  • Shape the public narrative on key files — from transit recovery and fare equity to housing affordability and climate action
  • Lead crisis communications and rapid-response messaging during moments that demand calm, clarity, and public trust
  • Craft speeches, op-eds, and media statements that amplify the Councillor’s leadership and communicate complex policies with heart and strength
  • Design and manage city-wide campaigns on issues like road safety, civic engagement, and public space revitalization
  • Act as a bridge across city divisions — aligning communications between TTC, Transportation, Planning, and the Mayor’s Office
  • Oversee multilingual, community-informed digital communications — including newsletters, social media, and public outreach tools
  • Turn dense policy into human language — building understanding, reducing distance, and making government feel closer to the people it serves

Because information isn’t just power — it’s public service.
And behind every policy, every platform, and every post, I never forget who it’s really for: the people.

Outside the Job Title

Creative work keeps me grounded — and curious.

Outside of professional writing, I stay engaged through personal projects that are tactile, reflective, and often exploratory. They help me slow down, sharpen my perspective, and stay connected to the world beyond the screen.

Heart of Paradoxes

A personal writing project where I share short-form poetry and observations.
It’s where I work through contradictions, feelings, and questions — in my own words, on my own terms.

Clay Craft & Needle Felting

I work with my hands to disconnect from digital life.
Using air-dry clay and wool, I create simple, hand-built objects – often imperfect, sometimes useful, always made with intention.

Travel & Observation

I travel to understand people and yes, also for the food.
Places shape how I think and write. I notice signage, smells, subway maps, everyday routines — the details that rarely make it into the guidebooks.

Music & Culture

I grew up around music — old Hindi film songs, jazz, Carnatic vocals, and everything in between.

Now, I listen to a bit of everything: classical, global, indie, soul, even algorithm gems.

Music is how I focus, feel, and sometimes even write better.
It’s also what connects me to different languages, histories, and ways of living I might never see in person — but can still understand.

What I’m Reading

Books are a constant. I switch between nonfiction, essays, poetry, and immersive fiction – usually with something bookmarked in each.

Here are a few recent or all-time favorites:

Books have always been a constant — something I return to no matter where I am or what I’m doing. I keep both an e-reader and a physical book nearby, always. I read to think more clearly, to feel more deeply, and to stay curious.

The book that shaped everything:

The Diary of a Young Girl – Anne Frank
This book always stays with me long after I finished it. It changed the way I understood fear, hope, and the quiet power of writing. It’s still the most impactful book I’ve ever read.

 A few of my all-time favourites:

  • Little Women – Louisa May Alcott
  • Americanah – Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
  • Pride and Prejudice – Jane Austen
  • 1Q84 – Haruki Murakami
  • Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World – Haruki Murakami
  • Kafka on the Shore – Haruki Murakami
  • No Longer Human – Osamu Dazai

Currently reading:

  • Almond – Sohn Won-Pyung

These books have shaped the way I write, think, and see people — not just as a communicator, but as someone trying to understand the world more honestly.

Knowing the World

You can’t shape a narrative if you’re not paying attention.

I track the trends. I read the footnotes. I know what’s going viral and what it means in context.

  • Global affairs & social movements
  • Pop culture, memes & media shifts
  • Digital language trends (from emoji fluency to AI tone prompts)
  • Publishing, brand, and policy discourse
  • What’s happening on the ground — not just online

This isn’t extra. It’s embedded in how I think, write, and create.
It helps me stay relevant. It helps me write for real people.
It’s part of the work — and I happen to love it.